Apparatus Patents (Class 117/200)
  • Patent number: 10100428
    Abstract: Production of silicon ingots in a crystal puller that involve reduction of the erosion rate at the crucible contact point are disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2018
    Assignee: Corner Star Limited
    Inventors: Jihong Chen, Tirumani N. Swaminathan
  • Patent number: 10100430
    Abstract: A method for growing a silicon single crystal by a Czochralski method, includes: conducting preliminary examination of growth conditions under which crystal collapse does not occur, the preliminary examination being based on a correlation between presence or absence of the crystal collapse in the silicon single crystal and a position at which an internal stress in the crystal when the silicon single crystal is grown will exceed a prescribed threshold, the position being away from a crystal growth interface; and growing the silicon single crystal in accordance with the growth conditions under which the crystal collapse does not occur, the growth conditions being determined from the preliminary examination. The method can grow a silicon single crystal while crystal collapse is effectively prevented.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2018
    Assignee: SHIN-ETSU HANDOTAI CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Ryoji Hoshi, Masanori Takazawa
  • Patent number: 10072333
    Abstract: A method of coating a plurality of sheets. A fluid is forced through gaps in the plurality of sheets. The fluid has a substantially plug flow profile and the fluid deposits a coating on at least one surface of the plurality of sheets in a self-limiting deposition process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2018
    Assignee: 3M INNOVATIVE PROPERTIES COMPANY
    Inventors: Andrew J. Ouderkirk, Nicholas T. Gabriel, Max Powers, Bill H. Dodge, Timothy J. Nevitt, Daniel J. Schmidt, James R. Miller, Robert R. Kieschke, Erin A. McDowell, Kelly S. Johnson
  • Patent number: 9938634
    Abstract: A method of producing a phosphorus-doped silicon single crystal, including pulling the phosphorus-doped silicon single crystal from a silicon melt doped with phosphorus by Magnetic field applied Czochralski (MCZ) method, wherein the phosphorus is doped such that a phosphorus concentration of the phosphorus-doped silicon single crystal is 2×1016 atoms/cm3 or more, and a horizontal magnetic field is applied to the silicon melt with a central magnetic field strength of 2,000 gauss or more such that the phosphorus-doped silicon single crystal to be produced has an oxygen concentration of 1.6×1018 atoms/cm3 (ASTM'79) or more. A method of producing a silicon single crystal that is heavily doped with phosphorus and has an oxygen concentration of 1.6×1018 atoms/cm3 (ASTM'79) or more.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2018
    Assignee: SHIN-ETSU HANDOTAI CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Masahiro Sakurada, Junya Tokue, Ryoji Hoshi, Izumi Fusegawa
  • Patent number: 9869020
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for protecting a target pump interior, where a target pump (10) inlet is provided with an inlet manifold (20) and a target pump outlet with an exhaust manifold (30). The target pump interior is exposed to sequential self-saturating surface reactions by sequential inlet of reactive gases according to an ALD method via the inlet manifold into the target pump interior and outlet of reaction residue via the exhaust manifold, while the target pump is kept running or not running. A technical effect of the invention is protecting a pump interior, which can be also an assembled pump interior, by a conformal protective coating.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 16, 2018
    Assignee: Picosun Oy
    Inventors: Timo Malinen, Harri Vähämäki
  • Patent number: 9863059
    Abstract: A method for pulling silicon single crystal includes a process of placing a molded body between a susceptor's inner surface and a crucible's outer surface. The molded body is formed based on three-dimensional data of the inner surface shape of the susceptor which can hold the vitreous silica crucible and three-dimensional data of the crucible so as to make the susceptor's central axis and the crucible's central axis substantially aligned when it is placed between the susceptor's inner surface and the crucible's outer surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2018
    Assignee: SUMCO CORPORATION
    Inventors: Toshiaki Sudo, Tadahiro Sato, Ken Kitahara, Eriko Kitahara
  • Patent number: 9802826
    Abstract: An apparatus for producing silicon nanoparticles using ICP includes a gas supply part in which first and second pipes for introducing a respective first and second gas into the plasma reactor therethrough are arranged alternately, the first pipes extending from an inlet of the reactor to a plasma initiation region; a plasma reaction part having an ICP coil wound therearound in which the particles are formed as the gases introduced through the respective pipes undergo a plasma reaction; and a collection part for collecting the particles. The apparatus can fully mix the gases introduced through the first gas supply pipes, thus allowing for uniform plasma reaction between the first and second gas, minimizing plasma expansion to increase plasma density within short retention time, easily controlling the size distribution by quenching and capturing nanoparticles, and improving the production yield by preventing the secondary aggregation of particles with cooling gas.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 25, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 31, 2017
    Assignee: KOREA INSTITUTE OF ENERGY RESEARCH
    Inventors: Bo-Yun Jang, Joon-Soo Kim, Hee-Eun Song
  • Patent number: 9797061
    Abstract: A system for growing a crystal is provided that includes a crucible, a furnace, and a heat transfer device. The crucible has a first volume to receive therein a material for growing a crystal. The furnace has an ampoule configured to receive the crucible within the ampoule. The furnace is configured to produce a lateral thermal profile combined with a vertical thermal gradient. The heat transfer device is disposed under the crucible and configured to produce a leading edge of growth of the crystal at a bottom of the crucible. The heat transfer device includes at least one elongate member disposed beneath the crucible and extending along a length of the crucible.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2017
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Arie Shahar, Eliezer Traub, Peter Rusian, Juan Carlos Rojo
  • Patent number: 9708364
    Abstract: A method for producing a capsule for protein crystallization is provided. The method comprises adding a solution containing a protein and a gelling agent to an ionic cross-linking solution to form an ionically cross-linked gel capsule that encapsulates a solution of the protein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 18, 2017
    Assignee: RIKEN
    Inventor: Michihiro Sugahara
  • Patent number: 9708733
    Abstract: The method for manufacturing an aluminum-based group III nitride single crystal includes the step of supplying an aluminum halide gas and a nitrogen source gas onto a base substrate, such that a reaction of the aluminum halide gas and the nitrogen source gas is conducted on the base substrate, wherein the reaction of the aluminum halide gas and the nitrogen source gas is conducted under coexistence of a halogen-based gas such that a halogen-based gas ratio (H) represented by the following formula (1) is no less than 0.1 and less than 1.0: H=VH/(VH+VAl)??(1) (In the formula (1), VH represents a supply of the halogen-based gas; and VAl represents a supply of the aluminum halide gas); and a growth rate of the aluminum-based group III nitride single crystal is no less than 10 ?m/h.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 18, 2017
    Assignee: TOKUYAMA CORPORATION
    Inventors: Akinori Koukitsu, Yoshinao Kumagai, Toru Nagashima, Reiko Okayama
  • Patent number: 9702055
    Abstract: The success rate of multi-pulled single crystal growth by the Czochralski method is enhanced by the use of a melt crucible having an amount of barium on an inner surface thereof which varies inversely with the diameter of the crucible. At least one single crystal is separated from the melt by a free span method.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 11, 2017
    Assignee: SILTRONIC AG
    Inventors: Hideo Kato, Shinichi Kyufu
  • Patent number: 9679764
    Abstract: Disclosed is a semiconductor device structure including a III-V compound semiconductor material layer, a polycrystalline CVD diamond material layer, and an interface region, having a diamond nucleation layer, between the III-V compound semiconductor material layer and the polycrystalline CVD diamond material layer. A Raman signal generated from a region having the diamond nucleation layer exhibits an sp3 carbon peak at 1332 cm?1 having a full width half-maximum of no more than 5.0 cm?1. The Raman signal further exhibits one or both of the following characteristics: (i) an sp2 carbon peak at 1550 cm?1 having a height no more than 20% of a height of the sp3 carbon peak; and (ii) the sp3 carbon peak at 1332 cm?1 is no less than 10% of local background intensity. The diamond nucleation layer further includes an average nucleation density range of 1×108 cm?2 to 1×1012 cm?2.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2017
    Inventor: Firooz Nasser-Faili
  • Patent number: 9637411
    Abstract: A method of manufacturing a vitreous silica crucible includes: a taking-out process of taking out the vitreous silica crucible from the mold, a honing process of removing the unfused silica powder layer on the outer surface of the vitreous silica crucible, and further comprising, after the taking-out process and before the honing process, a marking process of marking an identifier comprised of one or more groove line on the outer surface of the vitreous silica crucible, wherein the groove line after the honing process has a cross-sectional shape of an inverse trapezoid and a depth of 0.2 to 0.5 mm, and a width of 0.8 mm or more at the opening of the groove line. The groove line is formed by repeating shifting a focal point of a laser.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2017
    Assignee: SUMCO CORPORATION
    Inventors: Toshiaki Sudo, Taira Sato, Shuichi Ikehata, Manabu Shonai, Takuji Nishi, Takaya Satou, Shinsuke Yamazaki
  • Patent number: 9593432
    Abstract: A coating method for coating a crucible and a quartz crucible for growing a silicon crystal are provided. In the coating method, a bubble-free quartz layer which is 80 ?m to 4 mm thick is formed on an inner surface of a crucible for growing a silicon crystal, and the surface of the bubble-free quartz layer is covered with alkaline earth hydroxide, following which heating is performed to a temperature at which the surface becomes devitrified. The surface may be covered by immersing the inner surface in a solution of the alkaline earth hydroxide. The heating may be performed before the crucible for growing silicon crystal is filled with a solid raw material to be melted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2017
    Assignee: FTB RESEARCH INSTITUTE CO., LTD
    Inventors: Yukichi Horioka, Shiro Sakuragi
  • Patent number: 9543171
    Abstract: A method for auto-correction of at least one malfunctioning thermal control element among an array of thermal control elements that are independently controllable and located in a temperature control plate of a substrate support assembly which supports a semiconductor substrate during processing thereof, the method including: detecting, by a control unit including a processor, that at least one thermal control element of the array of thermal control elements is malfunctioning; deactivating, by the control unit, the at least one malfunctioning thermal control element; and modifying, by the control unit, a power level of at least one functioning thermal control element in the temperature control plate to minimize impact of the malfunctioning thermal control element on the desired temperature output at the location of the at least one malfunctioning thermal control element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2017
    Assignee: LAM RESEARCH CORPORATION
    Inventors: Ole Waldmann, Eric A. Pape, Keith William Gaff, Harmeet Singh
  • Patent number: 9450165
    Abstract: A method for manufacturing untwinned YBCO film can include the initial the step of depositing YBCO film on a substrate having a first end and second end. A temperature gradient can be established from the first end to the second end, which can establish an oxygen gradient in the YBCO film. A uniaxial pressure can further be established the film, in the same direction as the temperature gradient, form the first end to the second end. When the uniaxial pressure is established simultaneously with the temperature gradient, the result can be an untwinned YBCO film.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2016
    Assignee: The United States of America, as Represented by the Secretary of the Navy
    Inventor: Benjamin J. Taylor
  • Patent number: 9406502
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for fabricating a semiconductor device using a 4-way valve with improved purge efficiency by improving a gas valve system by preventing dead volume from occurring are provided. The apparatus includes a reaction chamber in which a substrate is processed to fabricate a semiconductor device; a first processing gas supply pipe supplying a first processing gas into the reaction chamber; a 4-way valve having a first inlet, a second inlet, a first outlet, and a second outlet and installed at the first processing gas supply pipe such that the first inlet and the first outlet are connected to the first processing gas supply pipe; a second processing gas supply pipe connected to the second inlet of the 4-way valve to supply a second processing gas; a bypass connected to the second outlet of the 4-way valve; and a gate valve installed at the bypass.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2016
    Assignees: SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD., GENITECH, INC.
    Inventors: Seok-jun Won, Yong-min Yoo, Dae-youn Kim, Young-hoon Kim, Dae-jin Kwon, Weon-hong Kim
  • Patent number: 9406807
    Abstract: Exemplary embodiments of the invention disclose a method of manufacturing a thin film transistor array panel having reduced overall processing time and providing a uniform crystallization. Exemplary embodiments of the invention also disclose a crystallization method of a thin film transistor, including forming on a substrate a semiconductor layer including a first pixel area, a second pixel area, and a third pixel area. The crystallization method includes crystallizing a portion of the semiconductor layer corresponding to a channel region of a thin film transistor using a micro lens array.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2016
    Assignee: Samsung Display Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Joo-Han Kim, Hwa-Dong Jung, Wan-Soon Lim, Jee-Hun Lim, Joo Seok Yeom, Tae-Kyung Yim, Jae-Hak Lee, Hyuk Soon Kwon, Hyoung Cheol Lee, Jeong-Ju Park, Se-Myung Kwon, So-Young Koo
  • Patent number: 9308766
    Abstract: Bookbinding apparatus adhesive applicator accurately, briefly controls adhesive temperature to a set value by selecting, in accordance with adhesive initial temperature, one of a plurality of temperature-controller heating modes defining different supply powers and supply durations for supplying power to an adhesive-container heater to control its heating temperature. A sensor detects the temperature of the adhesive in the container at applicator start-up, or on restarting a post-standby applicator. In accordance with the detected temperature, one of the heating modes is selected to heat the adhesive. The applicator warm-up time is thus set in response to the state of the adhesive: If solidified, the adhesive is heated and melted in a maximum supply-power, supply-duration mode; if low-temperature liquefied at, it is heated and melted in a second-magnitude supply-power, supply-duration mode; and if the adhesive temperature is high, it is heated and melted in a minimal supply-power, supply-duration mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2016
    Assignee: Nisca Corporation
    Inventors: Shinya Sasamoto, Atsushi Tsuchiya
  • Patent number: 9305823
    Abstract: Semiconductor devices including STI structures and their fabrication methods are provided. A mask layer is provided on a semiconductor substrate and patterned to form an opening in the mask layer to expose a surface portion of the semiconductor substrate. A trench is then formed in the semiconductor substrate by etching along the opening. A first dielectric layer is formed in the trench and has a top surface lower than a top surface of the semiconductor substrate to provide an uncovered sidewall surface of the trench in the semiconductor substrate. An epitaxial layer is formed on the uncovered sidewall surface of the trench in the semiconductor substrate. The epitaxial layer includes a spacing to expose a surface portion of the first dielectric layer. A second dielectric layer is formed on the exposed surface portion of the first dielectric layer to fill the spacing formed in the epitaxial layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2016
    Assignee: SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING INTERNATIONAL (SHANGHAI) CORPORATION
    Inventor: Meng Zhao
  • Patent number: 9228274
    Abstract: A crucible has a first resistance heater is disposed in spaced relation above the top of the crucible and a second resistance heater with a first resistive section disposed in spaced relation beneath the bottom of the crucible and with a second resistive section disposed in spaced relation around the outside of the side of the crucible. The crucible is charged with a seed crystal at the top of an interior of the crucible and a source material in the interior of the crucible in spaced relation between the seed crystal and the bottom of the crucible. Electrical power of a sufficient extent is applied to the first and second resistance heaters to create in the interior of the crucible a temperature gradient of sufficient temperature to cause the source material to sublimate and condense on the seed crystal thereby forming a growing crystal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 5, 2016
    Assignee: II-VI Incorporated
    Inventors: Varatharajan Rengarajan, Bryan K. Brouhard, Michael C. Nolan, Ilya Zwieback
  • Patent number: 9202687
    Abstract: A method that includes implantation of dopants while a III-nitride body is being grown on a substrate, and an apparatus for the practice of the method.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 1, 2015
    Assignee: Infineon Technologies Americas Corp.
    Inventor: Michael A. Briere
  • Patent number: 9090990
    Abstract: An apparatus for manufacturing a semiconductor device includes an out-heater including a heater element formed in an annular shape with a disconnected portion at one place, a first electrode component connected to a first heater electrode part of the heater element, a second electrode component connected to a second heater electrode part of the heater element, and a base including a first groove in which the first electrode component is fixedly disposed, and a second groove in which the second electrode component is movably disposed and a groove width in a circumferential direction of the heater element is formed such that a width of a second gap formed between a side of the second electrode component and an inner wall of the groove is wider than a width of a first gap formed between a side of the first electrode component and an inner wall of the first groove.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 28, 2015
    Assignee: NuFlare Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Kunihiko Suzuki, Hironobu Hirata
  • Patent number: 9048460
    Abstract: A deposition apparatus is capable of checking, in real time, the thickness or uniformity of a thin layer which is formed. The deposition apparatus includes a moving unit to which a substrate is detachably fixed. A conveyer unit conveys the moving unit in a first direction or in an opposite direction to the first direction. A deposition unit includes at least one deposition assembly for depositing a deposition material on the substrate. A discharge data acquisition unit acquires data associated with the amount of the deposition material discharged per unit time from the at least one deposition assembly. A transmission unit transmits the data acquired by the discharge data acquisition unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 2, 2015
    Assignee: Samsung Display Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Tae-Hun Lee, Byoung-Seong Jeong, Sang-Su Kim, Eun-Gook Sung, Sung-Hwan Kim, Sung-Won Yang, Je-Hyun Song, Tae-Hyung Kim
  • Patent number: 9039835
    Abstract: An apparatus for producing multicrystalline silicon ingots by the induction method comprises an enclosure, which includes means for start-up heating of silicon and a cooled crucible enveloped by an inductor. The crucible has a movable bottom and four walls consisting of sections spaced apart by vertically extending slots, means for moving the movable bottom, and a controlled cooling compartment arranged under the cooled crucible. The inside face of the crucible defines a melting chamber of a rectangular or square cross-section. The walls of the cooled crucible extend outwards at least from the inductor toward the lowest portion of the cooled crucible to thereby expand the melting chamber, and the angle ? of expanding the melting chamber is defined by the equation ?=arctg[2·(k?1.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 26, 2015
    Assignee: SoLin Development B.V.
    Inventors: Sergii Beringov, Volodymyr Onischenko, Anatoly Shkulkov, Yuriy Cherpak, Sergii Pozigun, Stepan Marchenko, Bogdan Chepurnyy
  • Patent number: 9017479
    Abstract: The apparatus has a crucible for storing a solution; an inner container for storing a crucible; a heating container for storing the inner container, the heating container including heating elements, a container body provided with the heating elements and a lid combined with the container body; and a pressure vessel for storing the heating container and for charging an atmosphere comprising at least nitrogen gas. The lid also has a fitting surface to the container body that is inclined to a horizontal plane.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 28, 2015
    Assignees: NGK Insulators, Ltd., Osaka University, Toyoda Gosei Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Makoto Iwai, Takanao Shimodaira, Takatomo Sasaki, Yusuke Mori, Fumio Kawamura, Shiro Yamasaki
  • Patent number: 9017478
    Abstract: Provided are an apparatus and method of extracting a silicon ingot. The apparatus for extracting a silicon ingot includes a chamber in which a silicon source material introduced into a cold crucible is melted, a primary extraction apparatus vertically movably installed in the chamber and configured to solidify the molten silicon to extract the silicon ingot, a movable apparatus configured to horizontally move the primary extraction apparatus, and a secondary extraction apparatus vertically movably installed under the chamber and configured to extract the silicon ingot in a state in which the primary extraction apparatus is moved to one side. Therefore, as the height of the extraction apparatus is reduced, manufacturing cost of equipment can be reduced and installation space of the extraction apparatus can also be reduced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 28, 2015
    Assignee: KCC Corporation
    Inventors: Ki Hyun Chang, Dong Hyun Nam
  • Patent number: 8999059
    Abstract: A growth apparatus is used having a plurality of crucibles each for containing the solution, a heating element for heating the crucible, and a pressure vessel for containing at least the crucibles and the heating element and for filling an atmosphere comprising at least nitrogen gas. One seed crystal is put in each of the crucibles to grow the nitride single crystal on the seed crystal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2015
    Assignees: NGK Insulators, Ltd., Osaka University
    Inventors: Katsuhiro Imai, Makoto Iwai, Takanao Shimodaira, Takatomo Sasaki, Yusuke Mori, Fumio Kawamura
  • Patent number: 8992683
    Abstract: Highly-qualified crystals are grown with good yield under an optimal temperature condition by controlling the axial temperature distribution in the vicinity of the seed crystal locally. In an apparatus for producing crystals to grow crystals wherein a seed crystal 14 is placed in a crucible 11 which is retained in a furnace, raw materials 12 filled in the crucible 11 are heated and liquefied, and a raw material 12 slowly cooled in the crucible 11 from below upward, the apparatus including a temperature controller for controlling temperature to cool or heat the vicinity of the seed crystal 14 locally. The temperature controller controls the temperature by a hollow constructed cap 17 mounted outside the portion of crucible 11 and regulates refrigerant flow running through the hollow portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2015
    Assignee: Nippon Telegraph and Telephone Corporation
    Inventors: Masahiro Sasaura, Hiroki Kohda, Kazuo Fujiura
  • Patent number: 8986449
    Abstract: The invention relates to a microfluidic device for promoting crystallization of target molecules, such as proteins. The device comprises a solid structure with a top face and an opposite bottom face and with a least one liquid channel. The liquid channel comprises a target molecule solution inlet and at least two precipitant inlets. The target molecule solution inlet is in liquid communication with each of the precipitant inlets through the liquid channel. The liquid channel comprises a branching channel section adjacent to the target molecule solution inlet, crystallization channel sections adjacent to the respective precipitant inlets and flow break channel sections arranged between the branching channel section and each of the crystallization channel sections.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2015
    Assignee: Microlytic North America Inc.
    Inventor: Morten Sommer
  • Patent number: 8986447
    Abstract: A high pressure apparatus and related methods for processing supercritical fluids. In a specific embodiment, the present apparatus includes a capsule, a heater, at least one ceramic ring but can be multiple rings, optionally, with one or more scribe marks and/or cracks present. In a specific embodiment, the apparatus optionally has a metal sleeve containing each ceramic ring. The apparatus also has a high-strength enclosure, end flanges with associated insulation, and a power control system. In a specific embodiment, the apparatus is capable of accessing pressures and temperatures of 0.2-2 GPa and 400-1200° C., respectively.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 4, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2015
    Assignee: Soraa, Inc.
    Inventor: Mark P. D'Evelyn
  • Patent number: 8980001
    Abstract: A susceptor having a recessed portion and a ring-like step portion is arranged in a reaction chamber, and a plurality of through bores are formed in a bottom wall in the recessed portion excluding the step portion. A lift pin inserted in each of the through bores temporarily holds a wafer, then a lower surface of an outer peripheral portion of the wafer is mounted on the step portion to accommodate the wafer in the recessed portion, and a raw material gas is circulated in the reaction chamber to form an epitaxial layer on a wafer surface in the recessed portion. When forming the epitaxial layer on the wafer surface, the lift pin protrudes upwards from an upper surface of the bottom wall, and a height h of a top portion of the lift pin based on the upper surface of the bottom wall as a reference is set to the range from a position where the height h exceeds 0 mm to a position immediately before the lift pin comes into contact with the wafer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2015
    Assignee: Sumco Corporation
    Inventors: Masaya Sakurai, Masayuki Ishibashi
  • Patent number: 8980004
    Abstract: A crucible for pulling a silicon single crystal has a double structure comprising a silica crucible and a graphite crucible covering an outside of the silica crucible, wherein the silica crucible is provided at its opening end portion with an inward falling prevention means for imparting a radially outward force to a body portion of the silica crucible.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2015
    Assignee: Japan Super Quartz Corporation
    Inventors: Masaru Sato, Masaki Morikawa
  • Patent number: 8968470
    Abstract: Disclosed herein are a graphite crucible for electromagnetic induction-based silicon melting and an apparatus for silicon melting/refining using the same, which performs a melting operation by a combination of indirect melting and direct melting. The crucible is formed of a graphite material and includes a cylindrical body having an open upper part through which a silicon raw material is charged into the crucible, and an outer wall surrounded by an induction coil, wherein a plurality of slits are vertically formed through the outer wall and an inner wall of the crucible such that an electromagnetic force created by an electric current flowing in the induction coil acts toward an inner center of the crucible to prevent a silicon melt from contacting the inner wall of the crucible.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2015
    Assignee: Korea Institute of Energy Research
    Inventors: Bo Yun Jang, Young Soo Ahn, Joon Soo Kim, Sang Hyun Park, Dong Kook Kim, Gwon Jong Yu
  • Patent number: 8968471
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides an apparatus for manufacturing a silicon substrate for solar cells using continuous casting, which can improve quality, productivity and energy conversion efficiency of the silicon substrate. The apparatus includes a crucible unit configured to receive raw silicon and having a discharge port, a heating unit provided to an outer wall and an external bottom surface of the crucible unit and heating the crucible unit to form molten silicon, a casting unit casting the molten silicon into a silicon substrate, a cooling unit rapidly cooling the silicon substrate, and a transfer unit disposed at one end of the cooling unit and transferring the silicon substrate. The casting unit includes a casting unit body having a casting space defined therein to be horizontally connected to the discharge port, and an assistant heating mechanism that preheats the casting unit body to control a solidification temperature of the silicon substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2015
    Assignee: Korea Institute of Energy Research
    Inventors: Bo-Yun Jang, Jin-Seok Lee, Joon-Soo Kim
  • Patent number: 8956455
    Abstract: A seed crystal holder for growing single crystals, such as for use in scintillation detectors for nuclear medicine. The holder includes a cooling shaft, a fastener attached to the cooling shaft, and a gasket for separating the cooling shaft from the seed crystal. The gasket is made of a heat-transferable material such as steel wool or metallic foil to conduct heat from the seed crystal to the cooling shaft, while also providing a cushioning effect to cushion the seed crystal against potentially damaging motion forces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 17, 2015
    Assignee: Siemens Medical Solutions USA, Inc.
    Inventors: Olexy V. Radkevich, Volodimir Protsenko
  • Patent number: 8951345
    Abstract: This invention relates to a system and a method of use for large ceramic member support and manipulation at elevated temperatures in non-oxidizing atmospheres, such as using carbon-carbon composite materials for producing high purity silicon in the manufacture of solar modules. The high temperature apparatus of this invention includes one or more support ribs, one or more cross braces in combination with the one or more support ribs, and a shaped support liner positionable upon the one or more support ribs and the one or more cross braces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 10, 2015
    Assignee: AMG Idealcast Solar Corporation
    Inventors: Roger F. Clark, James A. Cliber, Nathan G. Stoddard, Jesse I. Gerber, Raymond J. Roberts, Mark A. Wilmerton
  • Patent number: 8951346
    Abstract: A silica glass crucible for pulling up a silicon single crystal including an outer layer formed from a natural silica glass layer, and an inner layer formed from a synthetic silica glass layer, wherein the synthetic silica glass layer includes a first synthetic silica glass layer formed in a region within a certain range from the center of a crucible bottom section, and a second synthetic silica glass layer formed in a region which excludes the formation region of the first synthetic silica glass layer, and wherein the first synthetic silica glass layer has a thickness of 0.5 mm or more and 1.5 mm or less and a concentration of an OH group included in the first synthetic silica glass layer being 100 ppm or less.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 10, 2015
    Assignee: Japan Super Quartz Corporation
    Inventors: Kazuhiro Harada, Masaki Morikawa, Satoshi Kudo
  • Patent number: 8940095
    Abstract: An apparatus for growth of uniform multi-component single crystals is provided. The single crystal material has at least three elements and has a diameter of at least 50 mm, a dislocation density of less than 100 cm?2 and a radial compositional variation of less than 1%.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 27, 2015
    Assignee: Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute
    Inventor: Partha Dutta
  • Patent number: 8936680
    Abstract: The present invention, which provides a crucible for producing single-crystal silicon carbide, and a production apparatus and a production method for single-crystal silicon carbide, which are capable of stably growing a single-crystal silicon carbide ingot good in crystallinity at high yield, is a crucible for producing single-crystal silicon carbide having a crucible vessel for holding silicon carbide raw material and a crucible cover for attaching a seed crystal and is adapted to sublimate a silicon carbide raw material in the crucible vessel to supply silicon carbide sublimation gas onto a seed crystal attached to the crucible cover and grow single-crystal silicon carbide on the seed crystal, which crucible for producing single-crystal silicon carbide is provided in the crucible vessel and the crucible cover with threaded portions to be screwed together and is provided with a sublimation gas discharge groove or grooves capable of regulating flow rate by relative rotation of the threaded portions; and is a
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 20, 2015
    Assignee: Nippon Steel & Sumitomo Metal Corporation
    Inventors: Masakazu Katsuno, Tatsuo Fujimoto, Hiroshi Tsuge, Masashi Nakabayashi
  • Patent number: 8936679
    Abstract: According to one exemplary embodiment, a single crystal pulling-up apparatus of pulling-up silicon single crystals by a Czochralski method, is provided with: a neck diameter measuring portion which measures a diameter of a grown neck portion; a first compensation portion which outputs a first compensated pulling-up speed for the seed crystals based on a difference between a measured value of the diameter of the neck portion and a target value of the neck portion diameter previously stored; a second compensation portion which outputs a second pulling-up speed while limiting an upper limit of the first pulling-up speed to a first limit value; and a crucible rotation number compensation portion which lowers the number of a rotation of a crucible at least in a period where the upper limit of the first pulling-up speed is limited to the first limit value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 20, 2015
    Assignee: Globalwafers Japan Co., Ltd
    Inventors: Hironori Banba, Hiromichi Isogai, Yoshiaki Abe, Takashi Ishikawa, Shingo Narimatsu, Jun Nakao, Hiroyuki Abiko, Michihiro Ohwa
  • Patent number: 8936683
    Abstract: A colloidal suspension of particles is rapidly self-assembled with a minimum number of defects into a densely packed array of particles on a substrate under simultaneous sedimentation and annealing forces. The particles may be ordered as an opal structure. Optionally, the synthesized structure may incorporate an electrolyte and be used as a sacrificial form for micromolding an inverse structure. The inverse structure may exhibit a photonic band gap. Optionally, necking between particles may be adjusted after micromolding. Furthermore, a shell may alter physical properties, such as protecting a thermally stimulated photonic band gap device. These low cost methods allow more applications to become commercially viable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 20, 2015
    Inventor: Robert A. Marshall
  • Patent number: 8936684
    Abstract: The present invention provides a vitreous silica crucible which can suppress buckling and sidewall lowering of the crucible and the generation of cracks. According to the present invention, a vitreous silica crucible is provided for pulling a silicon single crystal having a wall, the wall including a non-doped inner surface layer made of natural vitreous silica or synthetic vitreous silica, a mineralizing element-maldistributed vitreous silica layer containing dispersed island regions each containing a mineralizing element, and wherein the vitreous silica of the island regions and the vitreous silica of a surrounding region of the island regions is a combination of mineralizing element-doped natural vitreous silica and non-doped synthetic vitreous silica, or a combination of mineralizing element-doped synthetic vitreous silica and non-doped natural vitreous silica, and the inner surface layer is made of vitreous silica of a different kind from that of the island region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 20, 2015
    Assignee: Japan Super Quartz Corporation
    Inventors: Toshiaki Sudo, Hiroshi Kishi, Ken Kitahara
  • Patent number: 8932404
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for producing semicrystalline polymer material, wherein the predominantly amorphous raw polymer material, in particular granules, to be treated is introduced into a crystallization reactor (1) and is partially crystallized there by being heated, but without melting, and subsequently the semicrystalline polymer material obtained in such a way is removed from the crystallization reactor (1) and at least part of said semicrystalline polymer material is diverted and mixed back into the crystallization reactor (1) in order to reduce the adhesive tendency of the polymer material. According to the invention, the diverted semicrystalline polymer material is combined and mixed with the raw polymer material before being mixed back into the crystallization reactor (1), and the mixture is then introduced into the crystallization reactor (1).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 13, 2015
    Assignee: EREMA Engineering Recycling Maschinen und Anlagen Gesellschaft m.b.H.
    Inventors: Klaus Feichtinger, Manfred Hackl, Andreas Roessler-Czermak, Gerald Weis
  • Patent number: 8926753
    Abstract: Material gas hits the outer peripheral surface of a dam member and rides on the upper surface side, and then is allowed to flow along the main surface of a silicon single-crystal substrate placed on a susceptor. An upper lining member is disposed above the dam member so as to face the dam member. A gas introducing clearance is formed between the dam member and the upper lining member. In a vapor growth device, the upper lining member is regulated in size so that the length, formed in a direction along the horizontal reference line, of the gas introducing clearance gradually decreases as it is away from the horizontal reference line or is kept constant at any position. A vapor growth device capable of making more uniform the flowing route of a material gas flowing on the silicon single-crystal substrate, and a production method for an epitaxial wafer are provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 6, 2015
    Assignee: Shin-Etsu Handotai Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Toru Yamada
  • Patent number: 8920561
    Abstract: A silicon single crystal pull-up apparatus includes a pull-up furnace, a sample chamber in which a sublimable dopant is housed, a sample tube which can be raised and lowered between the interior of the sample chamber and the interior of the pull-up furnace, a raising and lowering means for raising and lowering the sample tube, a supply pipe which is installed inside the pull-up furnace and supplies the sublimable dopant to a melt, and a connection means for connecting the sample tube and the supply pipe. The connection means is constructed from a ball joint structure comprising a convex member which projects from one end of the sample tube and a concave member which is provided at one end of the supply pipe and is formed to be engageable with the convex member. The contact surfaces of the convex member and the concave member are formed to be curved surfaces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 30, 2014
    Assignee: Sumco Techxiv Corporation
    Inventors: Yasuhito Narushima, Shinichi Kawazoe, Fukuo Ogawa, Toshimichi Kubota, Tomohiro Fukuda
  • Patent number: 8906453
    Abstract: A tool for harvesting polycrystalline silicon-coated rods from a chemical vapor deposition reactor includes a body including outer walls sized for enclosing the rods within the outer walls. Each outer wall includes a door for allowing access to at least one of the rods.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 9, 2014
    Assignee: MEMC Electronics Materials, S.p.A.
    Inventors: Rodolfo Bovo, Paolo Molino, Diego Gava
  • Patent number: 8900981
    Abstract: A feedstock of semiconductor material is placed in a crucible. A closed sacrificial recipient containing a dopant material is placed in the crucible. The content of the crucible is melted resulting in incorporation of the dopant in the molten material bath. The temperature increase is performed under a reduced pressure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 2, 2014
    Assignees: Apollon Solar, Siltronix
    Inventors: Maxime Forster, Erwann Fourmond, Jacky Stadler, Roland Einhaus, Hubert Lauvray
  • Patent number: 8888915
    Abstract: A high-purity vitreous silica crucible which has high strength and is used for pulling a large-diameter single-crystal silicon ingot, includes a double laminated structure constituted by an outer layer composed of amorphous silica glass with a bubble content of 1 to 10% and a purity of 99.99% or higher and an inner layer composed of amorphous silica glass with a bubble content of 0.6% or less and a purity of 99.99% or higher, and in the portion between the upper opening end of the high-purity vitreous silica crucible and the ingot-pulling start line of a silicon melt surface in the step of pulling a single-crystal silicon ingot, a portion corresponding to 40 to 100 volume % from the upper opening end of the crucible is in a crystalline structure free from the crystallization promoter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 28, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2014
    Assignee: Japan Super Quartz Corporation
    Inventor: Tadahiro Sato
  • Patent number: 8891585
    Abstract: A heating electrode assembly for a crystal growth furnace includes: a heat insulation board unit that is disposed between a furnace wall and a heater, that includes a first surface facing the furnace wall and a second surface facing the heater, and that is formed with a hole extending through the first surface and the second surface; an electrode unit that includes an electricity input portion mounted to the furnace wall, a post portion disposed in the hole, and an abutment flange connecting the post portion and the heater; and an electrical insulating unit including a tubular sleeve that is disposed in the hole and that surrounds the post portion, and a pad that is clamped between the abutment flange and the second surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2014
    Assignee: UTECH Solar Corporation
    Inventors: Chih-Wei Huang, Jen-Min Shao, An-Chun Liu